21st Century Altai

Although a number of teams, primarily Soviet, have previously visited most parts of the Russian Altai, little is known about their achievements, so this team of non-technical climbers felt it would offer scope for considerable exploration leading to a simple guide to the area. After establishing a base camp in the South Kurai range they climbed five peaks (c.3100m) graded F to PD, four of which were possibly first ascents. Some team members also spent a few days in the Northern Chuysky range at the end of the trip, where they traversed the Teacher Horseshoe.